If writing magazine articles has always been your fondest wish then this website hopes to give you advice and assistance in making it come true. Be sure to check out our menu on many other writing topics as well, including jobs for writers and novel writing software.
Magazine article writing isn't easy. It is hard work, as most all writing is. The competition is fierce but there still ways to break into magazines even if you are new to magazine writing. When you think of magazine writing you think of the big players, the large magazines that are recognized by all. If you are an established writer you have a much better chance of having your magazine articles accepted. If you are just starting out, it might be a bit harder. It might be more realistic for you to start in smaller regional magazines, or trade magazines. They are published for a certain industry and are easier to break into compared to national magazines.
A good source of information on the available magazines are publications such as Writers Market and internet directories. You can also check out the industries in your area that you are interested in writing about, for trade magazines. You might even do an interview with a company and have a basis for writing your first article.If you have never picked up a copy of a magazine you hope to be published in you will most likely be rejected. You need to know all you can about the magazine including who their advertisers are, who their readers are and the tone of the magazine. It is extremely easy for an editor to spot a writer who hasn't ever read his magazine.
Check with the editor to find out how they would like to have you submit your story, either by query or by submitting the whole article. Keep in mind that editors are extremely busy and they are literally inundated with manuscripts, queries and articles so be considerate of them and they will appreciate it.
How much can you possibly get paid? That can vary from magazine to magazine. Articles can be paid for by the word or by a flat fee. As you first start out you might be less concerned with how much you are getting paid and more concerned about building a presence. The more you are published the more accepted you will become and your fees and payments will reflect that.